Automatic transmission



Feb. 10, 1953 s. MAYNER AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Filed June 17, 1948 Brwentor Mfl YN E R (It orneg STRNLEY Patented Feb. 10, 1953 AUTOMATIC TRANSMIS S'ION Stanley Mayner, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, assignor of two-fifths to Thomas S. Mayner, Russel Township, GeaugaCounty, Ohio Application June 17, 1948, Serial No. 33,572

7 Claims.

This invention relates to automatic transmissions, more particularly to turbine type hydraulic torque converters combined with gearing.

Torque converters in and of themselves usually provide some torque reduction which, however, of itself is generally too low for a great many uses. As a result hydraulic torque converters are usually combined with a gearing arrangement to increase the torque output. Various types of torque transmissions have been proposed; however they lack in various degrees, high torque output, structural simplicity, flexibility, range, etc.

This invention advantageously provides for a torque converter apparatus having an associated gear transmission that provides for high torques; the automatic transmission is simple in construction, it is flexible, and it is one that can be adapted to substantially any range of torque requirement desired.

The apparatus embodies, advantageously, a two member type converter and an associated mechanism for reducing the torque output. Further, for very high reductions the apparatus comprises a plurality of units, a unit being a hydraulic torque converter with associated reduction gearing, combined in a series relation and which automatically combine, both through the hydraulic units and associated gearing, to provide for substantially any torquerequirement desired. Where a high torque is positively required substantially immediately the arrangement of this invention provides for a positive power transmission or torque through a combination of all of the mechanical means; or through both the fluid and mechanical means, the latter subsequently yielding to a fully hydraulic drive. The transition from a mechanical or from a combined fluid and mechanical torque output arrangement to a purely fluid arrangement is effected in a flexible and smooth manner. The apparatus is also adapted to be initially entirely fluid where the torque requirement is low. Regardless, however, of the initial manner for overcoming a load the unit will eventually become a hydraulic coupling. Also a means are provided to retard the apparatus or the output if so desired.

The apparatus advantageously comprises a power input shaft about which there is positioned a tubular shaft having a clutch mounted sun or pinion gear. The sun gear is mounted about a spring actuated clutch the helical spring of which has one end fastened to the shaft and the other to the tubular shaft. The helical spring is flat surfaced and when made to expand as, for instance, when the shaft is forward of the tubular shaft it will bind the sun gear making it fast to the tubular shaft. At other times when substantially no load is on the shafts the sun gear is adapted to float about the spring clutch. The input shaft of each hydraulic unit upon rotation simultaneously drives the impeller of each fluid torque converter since the impellers are mounted on the driving shafts.

Further, there is attached to the rotor of each converter an internal gear having positioned about itself a holding means, and a one-way clutch with an optional holding means to prevent reverse rotation of the rotors. In between the internal gear and the spring clutch mounted pinion there are positioned planet gears whose rotation is adapted to drive an output shaft of each complete unit. For instance, when an impeller is driven the pinion or sun gear is also driven actuating the planet gears which react against the inner gear and thus the output shaft of the unit is driven. Initially the driven member or rotor of a unit can be held from reverse rotation to provide reaction for the pinion to thus give a reduced and a positive drive; or the rotor may be permitted to rotate until it assumes its load and then the inner gear will drive the planets. When the rotor assumes its load the planet gears will eventually rotate at the same speed as the rotor, and as the impeller. When the impeller and the rotor rotate at about the same speeds a fluid coupling is eifected and subsequently all units become couplings and act as a single drive by becoming positively interconnected.

Reaction for the planetary systems depending upon acceleration or deceleration is provided by either the inner or ring gears, or the sun gears. Since the inner gears are connected to the rotors and the rotors are held from rotation the inner or annular gears provide the reaction for the planets, which are driven by the sun gears. Where the planets tend to overrun the sun gears then the sun gears are adapted to provide reaction for the planets and the rotors are then increasingly driven. Holding means are provided for the inner or ring gears, and they may be selectively utilized. Uni-directional clutches are also provided to prevent reverse rotation of the rotors when the load on the sun gears is greater than the load on the rotors. These clutches need not be used where a fully fluid cushion effect is desired as when the rotors are permitted to initially rotate in a reverse direction; they will gradually stop their reverse rotation and become positively drivenj The change in direction of rotation will be smooth.

' and gradual.

For greater torque reductions the apparatus may be extended by combining additional torque converter units or stages in a series relation in the manner shown in the drawing. The planet gears of a previous unit advantageously drive the succeeding impellers as well as all of the subsequent pinion or sun gears. Each of the succeeding converters is adapted to assume and share the load in a series succession. As each unit or stage becomes a coupling the couplings become joined to eventually rotate as a single combined coupling unit. The emciency of the apparatus is equal to that or the first coupling since it is the only unit that is doing the driving when the entire group are joined. The aforesaid arrangement will provide for substantially any torque reduction desired since each stage multiplies the output from the previous one, and as many stages can be had as desired. Further, the apparatus provides for an idling or" the prime mover whenever required.

The aforesaid apparatus is more specifically described in the following specification and accompanying drawing; where:

Figure 1 represents a schematic arrangement hydraulic torque converter unit in association with transmission gearing. I

Figure 4 is a section across line 4-4 of Figure 3; and Figure is a section across line 55 of Figure 3.

Referring to Figure l of the drawing there is shown an arrangement of a hydraulic torque converter and gearing that advantageously provides for substantial torque reductions automatically. The unit is adapted to provide for a positive drive that is, an entirely mechanical drive, as well as for a combined fluid and mechanical drive, or purely a fluid drive. It is inherently self retarding, or if it is desired the retardation can be greatly increased through the use of an associated means. Further the unit advantageously permits the idling of a prime mover.

A prime mover (not shown) is adapted to drive the power input shaft of the hydraulic transmission of Figure 1. The shaft I0 is joined to a sleeve I I which carries the impeller I2 of the hydraulic torque converter unit. The shaft I0 is joined to the sleeve shaft II by a flat surfaced helical spring of a known type spring clutch H (see Figure 4) which spring forms with a sleeve I'IA, a hub extension of the pinion gear I8, mounted about the spring a clutch for the pinion gear I8. Other similarly acting clutches can also be utilized. The hydraulic converter advantageously comprises only two members, an impeller I2 and the fluid receiving and reversing rotor I3. To the rotor I3 there is attached a ring or annular gear whichforms part of a planetary system including also the planets l9 and the pinion I8, all being in meshing relation. The fluid when leaving the rotor I3 is guided through a channel I4 having only enclosing walls. Further, the ring or annular gear 20 has associated with it, as by means of a housing or sleev 3I and the sleeve 39, a uni-directional brake 32 which can be of any known type. A holding band 33 is positioned about the uni-directional brake 32.

The brake 32 is adapted to hold the rotor I3 from reverse rotation which occurs upon starting by actuating the holding band 33 which will grasp the outer ring of the brake to render the brake operable; when the holding band 33 is not used the rotor I3 is then adapted to rotate in a reverse direction for the interval until it is forced to rotate forwardly.

The input shaft I0 is adapted to drive the impeller at all times and the pinion I8 when the inertia of the fluid mass is such that the sleeve I I tends not to follow the shaft I0. When such a relative rotational displacement of the sleeve II and the input shaft It occur the pinion I8 is clutched to drive the planets I9, and their output shaft 35. As the rotor I3 assumes its load and the impeller and rotor reach substantially similar rotation then the pinion and the annular gear 20 will drive the planets and the shaft 35.

For substantial retarding purposes when the shaft 35 has the tendency to rotate faster than the input shaft I0 the gear 20 is held as by a band brake 28 of any desirable type causing the planets I9 to react against the gear 20 and at a substantial reduction to drive the pinion I8. The pinion I8 is substantially immediately locked to the sleeve II by the uni-directional clutch l6 (see Figure 5) when the sleeve I'IA tends to rotate forwardly. Thus the impeller I2 is loaded and is slowed and the input shaft It! also tends to drive the prime mover; and in this way the apparatus is retarded. The brake 28 need not be used, and in such an event only a nominal retardation is had since the shaft 35 would drive the ring gear 20 and also the rotor I3 which rotor would drive the fluid in the hydraulic unit to the impeller at a rate faster than the rate of receiving it. This would tend to slow down the apparatus at a gradual rate to the speed of the impeller. The clutch I6 also can serve to positively connect the output shaft 35 to the input shaft II) for purposes of a rearward starting of the prime' mover through the input shaft I0 since it is adapted to secure the sleeve IIA to the sleeve II providing gear 20 is held to provide reaction for the planets I9. Depending, further upon whether the shaft ID or the output shaft 35 is rotating faster either the gear 20 is a reacting gear or the pinion I8. When gear 20 is held the planets react against it to drive shaft 35; when it is not held and shaft 35 is driving the planets will react against the pinion I8 to increasingly drive the rotor and therethrough the impeller and the input shaft.

For idling purposes, or for warming up of the engine it is generally desirable to disconnect the driven shaft 35 or not to drive it. The jaw clutch 22-23 is provided to make a positive connection of the input shaft If! to the sleeve I I and to thus prevent the actuation of the clutch H by rendering it inactive. Therefore, with the clutch IT as sectionally shown in Figure 4 being inactive the pinion is adapted to merely float and the rotating impeller I2, even if it should impress a force on the rotor, would not actuate the shaft 35 since the planets would only rotate about their own axes.

Once the rotor I3 and the impeller I2 reach similar rotation they may be positively clutched together to provide for a direct drive. They may be joined by a spring clutch 60 connecting the input shaft ID to a sleeve or hub extension BI connected to the rotor I3. The spring clutch when transmitting torque is kept coiled and the sleeve 6i is free of it; when, however, the torque is low and the impeller I2 and rotor I3 approach similar rates of rotation the spring clutch expands to lock the input shaft I0 to the rotor I3. The jaw clutch 22- 23 can be actuated through the sleeve 62 by the double collar 63 having an open exterior channel adapted to receive a ball joint of a lever 64 and an inner channel adapted to receive the ball joint of a bar 65 attached to the part 23 of the jaw clutch. Motion of the collar 63 is permitted by slots in the sleeve 62. This means is for purposes of example only and any other commercially known method for locking the input shaft to the torque transmitting apparatus may be employed.

While the apparatus of Figure 1 discloses an arrangement which comprises one fluid actuating unit with gearing the arrangement advantageously can be expanded to embody a greater number without departing from the scope of the invention. A three or more unit arrangement such as shown in Figure 3 can provide for higher torque ratios. The torque ratios are derived from the converters as well as the planet systems and also from the transmission gear sizes, for it can be seen that the torque output of each unit is multiplied by the others. Further such an arrangement is flexible in that it will readily adapt itself to varying loads impressed upon it at highest efficiencies.

Referring to the arrangement in Figure 3 of the drawing the combination shown is adapted to provide for very high torques, generally required by heavy motive equipment. The apparatus comprises a torque transmitting arrangement having a plurality of fluid actuating units or hydraulic converters in a series relation with a gearing torque transmitting means.

Power to the apparatus is provided by the power input shaft II] which drives or rotates a sleeve positioned about it and joined to it by a clutch IT. The clutch I! generally comprises a flat-surfaced spring one end of which is connected to the input shaft I and the other to the sleeve shaft II, and a sleeve I'IA. When a relative rotation of the input shaft I9 and the sleeve II tends to occur in a positive direction as to over-run each other the spring is expanded and the expansion is directed against the inner surface of the sleeve "A to frictionally bind it to the input'shaft. About the sleeve HA and integrated therewith there is mounted a sun or pinion gear I8 which is driven when the clutch is made to operate positively. The sleeve ITA is advantageously a hub extension of the pinion gear I8 so as to have integrated with it a unidirectional clutch I6 positioned about the sleeve II to tie the pinion I8 thereto in the event of a reverse rotation of the power input shaft by the pinion I8. The uni-directional clutch I6 is of a no-back roller type as shown in the section of Figure and it may be any one of the many types that are generally known. It operates, generally, when a vehicle tends to over-run the prime mover and the torque conversion apparatus is used as a speed retarding device. The manner of use and operation will be hereinafter explained.

About the sleeve II there is fixedly mounted an impeller I2 the fluid actuating member of a two-member torque converter, the other being rotor I3. Rotor I3 is advantageously a fluid receiving andreversing type having blades positioned at an angle in the direction of its rotation. The rotor empties into a fluid redirecting shroud I4 having only curved enclosing walls. The rotor, advantageously, is of the type shown in the Mayner Patent No. 2,432,115 although other two member hydraulic apparatus can also be utilized in the arrangement of Figures 1 and 3. Further, the rotor I3 has connected to it through a sleeve or its housing I5 an inner gear or ring gear 20. The ring gear 20 forms the outer gear of a planetary gear system in which mesh and ride the planet gears I9 which also rotate about and are actuated by the sun or pinion gear l8.

The input shaft I 9, then, through the sleeve II is adapted to drive both the impeller I2 and the sun gear I8. to the input shaft Ill by the clutch I'I, will, of course, immediately drive the planet gears I9 which will rotate within the ring gear 29 since it is substantially stationary upon starting torques. The planet gears I9 upon their rotation will drive an output shaft 2|. Eventually upon the rotor I3 assuming its load the ring gear will begin to rotate increasingly until it reaches a speed of rotation substantially equivalent to the sun or pinion I8 and both the sun and ring gear 29 will drive the output shaft 21 since the entire planet system will rotate as a unit.

Generally, upon a sudden acceleration 0r application of load on the impeller [2 the inertia of the fluid which must be overcome will cause the clutch I! to function. The input shaft I0 tends to rotate faster than the sleeve II on which the impeller I2 is mounted. The relative rotation of the input shaft I9 to the sleeve l I will cause the spring of the clutch IT to expand and to bind the sun gear 58. The sun gear I8 then causes the rotation of the planets I9 and they in turn tend to rotate the inner gear 2!) in a reverse direction unless gear Zil is held. Such an initial temporary reverse rotation can be advantageous since it provides for a cushioning effect. The rotor gradually will assume its load reverse its rotation to the positive direction and the ring gear 29 will then also drive the planets I9. Where immediate and a positive transmission of torque is desired there is provided an automatically operated uni-directional brake 25 of a generally known type which is adapted to prevent a reverse rotation of 'the rotor I3 and of the inner gear 20. Further, there is provided a brake or a holding device 24 of the uni-directional brake 25 to render it inactive when so desired. When the holding device 24, which may be of any convenient type, is used the rotor I3 is held from reverse rotation on starting torques; it is held until the force acting on it is great enough to cause it to rotate forwardly.

The input shaft Ill and the sleeve II may also be joined in a positive manner and thus render the clutch II inactive and to make the apparatus entirely fluid actuated. There is provided about the input shaft and splined or otherwise secured thereto a clutch 2223 such as a positively looking jaw clutch. The clutch 22-23 is adapted to lock the shaft It to the sleeve to directly drive the impeller I2. The impeller in turn will drive the rotor I3 and the rotor I3 will drive the ring gear 20 which will drive the planets I9 and the planets about their axes. The sun gear I8 meanwhile merely floats.

In the arrangement shown in Figure 3 the output shaft 2| of the first hydraulic unit is advantageously the power input shaft of the next unit, and the power output shaft of such next unit is the power input shaft of the following next subsequent unit, etc. The output shaft 2I directly drives the impeller 42 of the second hydraulic unit. The impeller 42 in turn actuates the fluid receiving and reversing rotor 43. The shaft 2|, further, directly drives the pinion or sun gear 49 of the planetary system of the second hydraulic unit having planets 48 and ring gear The sun gear, if it is secured- 41 within which the planets rotate. The planets 48 drive an output shaft 58 which in turn drives the next impeller i and the pinion 3'! of the planet system of the third hydraulic unit. The third hydraulic unit also comprises two members just as the previous two, an impeller 51 and a fluid receiving and reversing rotor member 52. The ring gear 36 is attached to the rotor 52 and planets 38 are adapted to rotate within the ring gear and about the sun gear 3i. The planets 32 drive a final output shaft giving the total torque output of the apparatus.

The input shaft it is adapted through the first sun gear 13 to drive the output shaft 35. The actuation is efiected through the planets of each next succeeding hydraulic unit. Generally, upon starting the driving of the output shaft 35 is substantially entirely through such an arrangement. It can be seen, then, that depending on the gear sizes utilized in the planetary system the torque of the first unit is multiplied by the second, and that of the second is multiplied by the third, and it can continue in such manner, to yield as high a torque reduction as desired. As the torque requirements lessen the hydraulic units assume more and more of the load, first the number one unit, then the second, andso on until each takes its full share. As assu its full share it becomes a fluid coupling. and as each becomes a fluid coupling it is to the preceding one to eventually form a coupled hydraulic apparatus the entire unit rotating as a direct drive. Such an arrangement advantageously provides for a minimum coupling slippage since means are provided all units following the first hydraulic unit to the first unit. The eniciency of the apparatus having several integrated hydraulic units is thus made as high as that of a single coupling unit.

Referring again to Figure 3 there is attached to the first rotor 53 a sleeve or housing 46 terminating in a sleeve section 3 3. Similarly the rotor 43 of the second unit is attached to a housing 54 which also terminates in a sleeve 57, and the rotor 52 of the third unit is attached to a sleeve section 39. The rotor .3 is joined to its annular or ring gear 41 through the spring of a spring clutch 4!, and the rotor 52 is connected to its ring gear 35 through the spring of a spring clutch 55. The spring clutches are like the spring clutch ll with the exception that the springs must be constrained to be inactive. They are normally in an expanded state. The sleeves 3d and 5'! of the housings it and 54 are adapted to be frictionally bound by the spring clutches ti and 56 at all times except when under load conditions, that is, whenever the rotors and 52 are under such loads so as to cause a coiling of the springs of the spring clutches to reduce their diameters and thus release the sleeves 3d and El.

The first rotor !3, in an initial operation, is connected to the subsequent units inasmuch as the sleeve 34 has not yet been released by the clutch M. A load on the clutch causing it to contract will release the rotor 83. As the impeller l2 increases in rotation the pinion it will also more rapidly drive the planets 59, the planet shaft 2! and the second impeller 52. The second impeller 42 then increases in rotation placing an increased force on the rotor 45. is held from substantial rotation due to the load on the apparatus the spring of the clutch ll is kept coiled in a diameter less than the inside diameter of the sleeve 35 causing the rotor 3 to remain independent of the rotor 43. The clutch to lock po v v Since rotor 33 ti joining sleeve remains inactive while in. a coiled state and the sleeve 34 is permitted to rotate. However, when rotor 43 assumes the load to the point where the tension on the spring is decreased to permit itto grasp the sleeve 34, the sleeve 42 or motor [3 and the rotor 43 are then joined. Meanwhile the third impeller 5| is accelerating as the previous hydraulic units approach a, coupling union since it is becoming in creasingly faster driven as the gear reductions are reduced in the preceding units. As the rotor 52 is subsequently brought to load, the clutch 56 is caused to expand binding the sleeve 57 to itself. All the rotors are thus joined and the torque is then assumed entirely by the first unit or the rotor I3, which is rotating at a speed approximating that of the impeller l2. All of the hydraulic units then rotate as a unit to drive the output shaft 35 with substantially the torque of the input shaft l0.

Controlled uni-directional clutches are also provided for the second and third units; the unidirectional clutch prevents rotor 43 from reverse rotation and uni-directional clutch 43 prevents rotor 52 from reverse rotation. These clutches are optionally controlled by a holding and releasing means 33 and 58. As stated hereinbefore a release of the uni-directional clutches will permit an initial reverse rotation of each of the rotors due to the greater load on the planets by the pinions of each system causing the ring gears to reversely rotate; their release however, tends to cushion each unit, or the whole apparatus.

For purposes of retarding the apparatus when the output shaft 35 tends to overrun the prime mover a holding means are provided for holding the ring gears and therethrough the associated rotors. The holding means may comprise a braking band placed about the ring gears, or any similarly acting device. Then by braking any or all of the annular gears they are held stationary compelling the planets to react against them driving the related pinions at increased rates to load the impellers and therethrough slow down the input shaft l0 and the prime mover. Since, under such a condition the prime mover is rotating more slowly the tendency will be to accelerate it; the prime mover thus slows the vehicle down. The working fluid in each hydraulic unit is circulated through the members, since the rotors are stationary. For retarding the apparatus then the brake 28 would hold the annular gear 20, and brakes 46 and 30 would hold gears 41 and 36 respectively. The brakes 39, 4G and-2t may be selectively controlled if so desired.

When the unit is being retarded through the use of the brakes there occurs the tendency of the pinion l8 to slip and not to drive the shaft is through the clutch ll. To prevent such slipping a one-way clutch It is utilized between the sleeve l! and the sleeve H about the shaft Ill. The clutch 16 connects the pinion S8 to the shaft i5, and thus there occurs a, retardation of the apparatus as the over-running vehicle tends to accelerate the prime mover. The application of all the brakes or holding means of the ring gears provides a retarding force of full gear reduction and of the prime mover.

The holding means need not be used if a strong retardation is not necessary. The apparatus will inherently retard itself. The faster driving output shaft 35 through the planets 38 will drive the driven members 52, 43 and i3 since they are clutched together by clutches 55, M to act together on the first ringgear 20, the planets l9,

and pinion l 8. The sun gear H! at once becomes clutched to the impeller leeve H as soon as it has a tendency to overrun the sleeve. to drive the prime mover.

The apparatus of Figure 8 can be adapted to be fully directly driven when in a coupled state in the same manner as shown with reference to Figure 1. As stated hereinbefore the fully direct drive can be effected in any of the various ways known and the method of coupling herein shown is intended to be inthe way of an example.

I claim:

1. A power transmitting apparatus comprising, a fluid power transmitting device, said fluid power transmitting device having an impeller and a rotor adapted to be actuated by fluid energized by said impeller, a power input shaft to said device, a gear transmission connected to said device and adapted to be driven by the rotor, means for positively connecting the power input shaft with said gear transmission and the fluid power transmitting device as a locked unit with said gear transmission, said power input shaft adapted to drive said gear transmission and the impeller and rotor of said device, a clutch being responsive to load on said apparatus adapted to connect said shaft to said gear transmission, means making said clutch inoperative preventing connection of the input shaft with said gearing, and means including said first mentioned means adapted to connect said input shaft with th transmission and with said device for connecting said power input shaft to the rotor of said device for driving said gear transmission.

2. A power transmitting apparatus comprising, a power input shaft, a fluid impeller adapted to be connected to said shaft, a fluid driven member positioned adjacent said fluid impeller and actuated by the fluid energized by said impeller, a first clutch for connecting said input shaft to said fluid driven member, a second clutch, a planetary gear system, said planetary system including an orbit gear, planet gears, and a sun gear, said orbit gear being attached to said fluid driven member and said sun gear being attached to said power input shaft through said second clutch, said planet gears bein in meshing relation with said sun gear and said orbit gear, means for rendering said second clutch inoperable, means for engaging or disengaging said first clutch while simultaneously disengaging or engaging said second clutch, and a manually operative selective device for controlling said second mentioned means.

3. A power transmitting apparatus comprising, a plurality of fluid power transmitting devices arranged in a series relation, a power input shaft for actuating the first of said plurality of fluid power transmitting devices, a planetary gear system attached to each of said plurality of fluid power transmitting devices, each of said fluid power transmitting devices comprising a fluid impeller and a rotor driven by fluid energized by said impeller, said planetary systems comprising orbit,'planet and sun gears, the orbit gears of said planet systems being joined to said fluid driven rotors and said sun gears adapted to be joined to said impellers, the planet gears of said planetary systems being in mesh with said sun and orbit gears, means for connecting the power input shaft with the first of said fluid power transmitting devices and the first planetary gear system, said power input shaft being adapted to drive the impeller and rotor of said first fluid power transmitting device and the sun gear of the first planetary gear system, an output shaft from each of said planetary gear sys tems being driven by the planetary gears of said system, the output shaft of the first of said planetary gear system driving the sun gear of the next planet system and the impeller of the next succeeding fluid power transmitting device adapted to be driven by the fluid energized by its impeller and being adapted to be driven by the rotor of the first transmission, Said succeeding rotor adapted to drive the orbit gear of the said planetary gear system, the planet gears driving the output shaft to th next power transmitting device, and means responsive to load on the apparatus for positively interlocking the rotors of said fluid power transmitting devices to form of them a rigid unit. 7

4. A power transmitting apparatus comprising, a plurality of fluid power transmitting devices arranged in a series relation, a power input shaft to the first of said series of fluid power devices, a planetary gear system attached to each of said fluid power transmitting devices, each of said fluid power transmitting devices comprising a fluid impeller and a rotor driven by fluid energized by said impeller, said planetary systems comprising orbit planet and sun gears, the orbit gears of said planet systems being joined to said fluid driven rotors and said sun gears being joined to said impellers, the planet gears of said planetary systems being in mesh with said sun and orbit gears, said power input shaft adapted to drive the impeller of said first fluid driven power device and the sun gear of the first planetary gear system, a clutch for joining said input shaft ,to said sun gear, a clutch for joining said power input shaft to the rotor of the first in series fluid power transmitting devices, an output shaft from each of said planetary gear systems being driven by the planetary gears of said system, the output shaft of the first of said planetary gear system driving, the. sun' gear of the next planet system and the impeller of the next succeeding fluid power transmitting device, the rotor of the said next succeeding fluid power transmitting device being actuated by the fluid energized by its impeller, said succeeding rotor driving the orbit gear of the said planetary gear system, the planet gears driving the output shaft to the next power transmitting device, and means responsive to load on the apparatus for positively interlocking the rotors of said fluid power transmitting devices so that the power input shaft is adapted to drive all rotors and their orbit gears.

5. A power transmitting apparatus comprising, a plurality of fluid power transmitting devices arranged in a series relation, a power in ut shaft to the first of said series of fluid power devices, a planetary gear system attached to each of said fluid power transmitting devices, each of said fluid power transmitting devices comprising a fluid impeller and a rotor driven by fluid energized by said impeller, said planetary systems comprising orbit planet and sun gears, the orbit gears of said planet systems being joined to said fluid driven rotors and said sun gears being joined to said impellers, means for holding the orbit gears and rotors from rotation, the planet gears of said planetary systems bein in mesh with said sun and orbit gears, said power input shaft adapted to drive the impeller of said first fluid driven power device and the sun gear of the first planetary gear system, a clutch for joining said input shaft to said sun gear, a clutch for joining said power input shaft to the rotor of the first in series fluid power transmitting devices, an output shaft from each of said planetary gear systems being driven by the planetary gears of said system, the output shaft of the first of said planetary gear system driving the sun gear of the next planet system and the impeller of the next succeeding fluid power transmitting device, the rotor of the said next succeeding fluid power transmitting device being actuated by the fluid energized by its impeller, said succeeding rotor driving the orbit gear of the said planetary gear system, said orbit and said sun gears adapted to drive related planet gears and the planet gears driving the output shaft to the next power transmitting device, means responsive to load on the apparatus for positively interlocking the rotors of said fluid power transmitting devices so that the power input shaft is adapted to drive all rotors and their orbit gears, and means for making inactive said clutch joining the sun gear and power input shaft so that said input shaft drives only the impeller of the first fluid power transmitting device.

6. A power transmitting apparatus comprising, a power input shaft, a plurality of separate fluid power transmitting devices arranged in a series relation having driving and driven elements, said power input shaft driving the first of said devices, means for transmitting the power output from each of said devices connected to the driving and driven elements of the devices, said means positioned between each and after the last of said devices, an output shaft, and means responsive to load impressed on the apparatus including said mentioned means for drivingiy interconnecting said plurality of devices and the last of said devices and said output shaft.

7. A power transmitting apparatus comprising, a power input shaft, a plurality of separate fluid power transmitting devices arranged in a series relation having driving and driven elements, said power input shaft driving the first of said de- REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

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